Yoli’s Love

In the novel “Motorcycle Ride On the Sea of Tranquility,’’ Patricia Santana describes the experiences and emotions  of a 14 year old Yolanda (Yoli) Shagun growing up in a traditional Mexican American family living in San Diego California in 1969. The author emphasis on how hard was for Yoli to saw her favorite brother Chuy changed in a mysterious way after coming back from the Vietnam War. Yoli knew something was wrong with his lovely and favorite brother Chuy at her welcome back surprise party. ”Hi Chuy,” I said, hesitant, shy. Why did it seem he wasn’t really looking at me, his favorite sister? “yhea, hi,” he said, barely touching my hand, a disconnected handshake.”(pg 13) Chuy was obviously affected by the Vietnam War, and was showing all the signs and symptoms for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder cause by the War. Yoli didn’t understand at first what really happened to him in the horrifying, and loneliness Vietnam War, but she had one thing clear, and was to help his brother Chuy be himself again.

                Chuy was everything for Yoli, because she knew how Chuy think, and all the experience they share growing up in Conifer Street. They both look up for each other like that time Chuy had a Go-cart and needed to be tested. From all the kids around he chose Yoli, because he knew she was big enough for the task. At first Yoli didn’t understand why he choose her, but she was not going to let her brother down. As she went in high speed through down the street she felt the wind on her hair, the power of the engine on the pedal, and the feeling of having everything under control. Unfortunately, she crashed the Go-cart. As everybody gather to help her she could only see Chuy, and said, “You did good, Yoli.” “Really good.”  Yoli could tell from the proud grin on his face that he knew I had felt the freedom. (pg 26) Yoli saw how import she was for Chuy, and that they had more than a blood bond.

                Yoli wanted to help his favorite brother to be as he was before the war, so they can both share and experience the same feeling they had growing up.  As she cleaned his brother’s room she found a Japanese wooden box that belonged to Chuy. Inside the box there were some unknown pills. At that moment, for a second she could understand the pills were the reason why Chuy was acting aggressive, and mysterious. Yoli knew she had to speak to El Chango, Chuy’s best friend. She took her bike, and ride in late hours to Imperial Beach where el Chango worked at a pool bar. As she could, she was able to find el chango. As she showed the pills to el chango, he wasn’t surprise. El change said, “It’s not the drugs... It’s not the drugs that got them this way.” “There’s an anger, or rage, or something in his actions that goes deeper than drugs.” (pg 180)

                She remembered all the times Chuy was aggressive like the time she insulted Socorro, and told her “old lady wetback.” Why don’t you back to Mexico where you belong?” Not only insulting poor Socorro, but all the Mexican culture. “Damn wetbacks, all of you,” “Goddam gooks is what you are.” (pg149) Yoli wouldn’t give up on Chuy like the rest of the family did. She knew deep inside Chuy had a chance to change.  She just needed to reach more into Chuy feeling like the time Chuy invited her to ride on his motorcycle. They ride to down town San Diego, and to the new Coronado Bridge. They went to places she had never been before, but what really showed how Chuy was emotional hurt was stopping at Donna’s house. Her lovely girlfriend who he was engaged too, but end up getting pregnant and living him while he was at Vietnam.  As they both stud outside the house Chuy shouted with all the fury and strength he could muster, “Doonnaaaa.” (pg.143) Chuy subconsciously showed how he really felt, and how depressed he was.

Chuy’s PTSD change how Yoli think, because she loved her favorite brother, and wanted to help him be himself again, and restore everything as it was before the war.  As Yoli grew up she saw how his brother was losing friends, family and himself. It was to her to help him out, for the bond they had growing up. Today, millions of people suffered from PTSD, and is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Many people that come from war suffered as Chuy did, and it’s up to us to help them be themselves again.